California's New Minimum Auto Limits: 30/60/15
The first increase since 1967 — here's what actually changed.
As of January 1, 2025, California's minimum auto liability limits are $30,000 bodily injury per person / $60,000 per accident / $15,000 property damage — '30/60/15' — under Senate Bill 1107. They had been 15/30/5 since 1967, when a fender-bender cost a few hundred dollars. The law also schedules the next step: 50/100/25 on January 1, 2035.
If you carried minimum coverage, your policy limits rose automatically at renewal — and your premium likely did too. Here's how to think about it.
What each number means
- $30,000 bodily injury, per person: the most your policy pays for one person you injure — medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering.
- $60,000 bodily injury, per accident: the cap across everyone you injure in one crash.
- $15,000 property damage: the other party's vehicle and property.
Liability coverage pays for harm you cause to others. It never fixes your own car (that's collision), your own injuries (medical payments / health insurance), or a hit-and-run (uninsured motorist).
Why state minimums are still usually too low
Consider the arithmetic of a Los Angeles intersection: the average new car price is near $50,000, so a two-car collision can blow through a $15,000 property-damage limit before anyone mentions injuries. When damages exceed your limits, you are personally liable for the difference — wages can be garnished and assets pursued.
For most drivers with anything to protect, we recommend quoting 100/300/100. On many policies the jump from minimum to substantial liability limits costs less than people expect, because the base premium already carries the fixed costs. If you own a home or have savings, an umbrella policy stacks $1M+ of liability across your auto and home policies, typically for a few hundred dollars a year.
Don't skip uninsured motorist coverage
Roughly one in six California drivers is uninsured, and minimum-limit drivers are everywhere. Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage stands in when the at-fault driver can't pay — it's among the highest-value coverages per dollar on a California auto policy, and brokers quote it by default for a reason.
What are California's minimum car insurance requirements now?
30/60/15: $30,000 bodily-injury liability per person, $60,000 per accident, and $15,000 property damage (SB 1107, effective January 1, 2025). Limits are scheduled to rise to 50/100/25 in 2035.
Did my premium go up because of SB 1107?
If you carried the old 15/30/5 minimums, yes — the mandatory limits doubled or tripled, so minimum-coverage policies repriced at renewal statewide. Shopping carriers is the practical response; rate differences between carriers for the same driver are often larger than the SB 1107 bump.
Is minimum coverage enough in Los Angeles?
For most drivers, no. LA repair and medical costs exhaust minimum limits quickly, and you're personally liable for the excess. We usually quote 100/300/100 alongside the minimum so you can see the actual cost difference.
What proof of insurance does the DMV require?
Carriers report electronically to the DMV, and you must carry evidence of coverage (card or app). Driving uninsured risks fines, registration suspension, and — after an accident — a year's license suspension.
Can I still use a DMV cash deposit instead of insurance?
California technically allows a $35,000 DMV deposit or surety bond in lieu of insurance, but for nearly everyone a standard policy is cheaper and vastly better protection.
Related pages
Auto Insurance
Our auto insurance service — quotes across carriers.
Learn more →LA Car Insurance Costs
What drivers actually pay in Los Angeles.
Learn more →Umbrella Insurance Guide
Stack $1M+ of liability for a few hundred a year.
Learn more →This page is general information for California consumers, not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an offer of coverage. Rates, rules, and carrier appetite change frequently — figures shown are typical ranges as of mid-2026 from public sources. Your own premium and eligibility depend on your specific situation. Confirm current requirements with the [California Department of Insurance](https://www.insurance.ca.gov/) or talk to a licensed agent. Express Financial & Insurance Services, Inc. is an independent brokerage in Santa Monica, CA — call 310-453-5736 for a no-obligation review.